Steven Spielberg’s biopic Lincoln finally hits cinemas this week, starring Daniel Day-Lewis as the renowned US president. With Day-Lewis heavily tipped for Oscars glory for his role in the film, we thought it was the ideal time to round up some of the best performances in biopics of recent years…

10. Daniel Day-Lewis as Abraham Lincoln in Lincoln

We’ll start with the most recent biopic: the aforementioned Lincoln, starring Brit actor Daniel Day-Lewis as Abe. While some may have doubted whether an Englishman could really convince as one of the most famous Americans ever, his performance has garnered heaps of praise and an abundance of award nominations to boot. Metro’s very own Larushka Ivan-Zadeh described his performance thus: ‘Greying and spectral, his screen presence is at once monumental and enigmatic – a mighty Mount Rushmore spun from spiders’ webs.’ Day-Lewis has already bagged a Golden Globe for his role as the 16th president of the United States, and is hot favourite to take home another trophy on February 24.

9. Philip Seymour Hoffman as Truman Capote in Capote

Writer Truman Capote is best-known for two works: novella Breakfast At Tiffany’s, and true-crime novel In Cold Blood. The writing of the latter formed the basis of Capote, which follows the author’s obsession with the real-life murder of four family members in Kansas. After deciding to write a novel based on the deaths Capote comes to interview the killers, and becomes particularly close to one of them. Hoffman was widely lauded for his performance as the unlikeable author and was rewarded with a series of awards, including a Golden Globe, a Screen Actors Guild award and the all-important Oscar.

Meryl Streep bagged her third Oscar for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher

8. Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady

While Brit Daniel Day-Lewis took on a major US politician in Lincoln, for The Iron Lady the tables were turned, with US actress Meryl Streep taking on the role of Margaret Thatcher. The film depicted an elderly Thatcher, suffering from dementia, flitting between the past and present as she recalled her glory days. While the film itself was heavily criticised, Streep’s performance was almost universally praised, earning Streep her eight Golden Globe, second Bafta and third Oscar.

7. Don Cheadle as Paul Rusesabagina in Hotel Rwanda

Hotel Rwanda told the real-life story of hotel manager Paul Rusesabagina, who managed to hide and protect 1,268 refugees in his hotel during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Dubbed ‘the African Schindler’s List’ by some, Hotel Rwanda received overwhelmingly positive reviews, with Don Cheadle’s performance as Rusesabagina praised for driving the film. But while many critics tipped Cheadle for glory come awards season, it wasn’t to be: Leonardo DiCaprio won at that year’s Golden Globes for his interpretation of Howard Hughes in The Aviatior, while Jamie Foxx was victorious come Oscar night for his role in Ray.

Marion Cotillard won awards aplenty for her role in La Vie En Rose

6. Marion Cotillard as Edith Piaf in La Vie En Rose

La Vie En Rose, telling the story of French singer Edith Piaf, surpassed all expectations upon its release in 2007. Marion Cotillard was probably best-known for her supporting role in Audrey Tautou film A Very Long Engagement, but her performance as Piaf propelled her to worldwide stardom. While the non-linear structure of the film – the story is told through flashbacks as Edith is dying – proved challenging for some viewers and critics, Marion’s powerful performance as the iconic singer astounded everyone. Cotillard deservedly scooped an array of awards for the role, most notably becoming the first person to win an Academy Award for a French-language performance.

5. Sean Penn as Harvey Milk in Milk

The big-screen interpretation of the life of Harvey Milk was over two decades in the making. Following the release of documentary The Times Of Harvey Milk in 1984 many attempts were made to bring the story to the cinema, with Daniel Day-Lewis, Robin Williams and Richard Gere among those linked to the role. Ultimately it was Sean Penn who was chosen to portray the politician and gay rights activist, and it was worth the wait: the film was well-received and Penn bagged top honours at the 2009 Oscars.

Joaquin Phoenix and Reece Witherspoon played June and Johnny Cash in Walk The Line

4. Reese Witherspoon and Joaquin Phoenix as June and Johnny Cash in Walk The Line

Following the early life and career of country singer Johnny Cash, Walk The Line’s rave reviews hinged on not just one, but two leading performances. Depicting Johnny’s battle with drug addiction and the pair’s rocky romance, Reese and Johnny’s performances were all the more remarkable given the fact they both sang throughout. But while Joaquin Phoenix earned plaudits for is depiction of the country legend, it was Reese Witherspoon who stole the glory for her performance as June Carter Cash, winning a host of awards including a Bafta, a Golden Globe and an Oscar.

3. Julia Roberts as Erin Brockovich in Erin Brockovich

After being catapulted to worldwide fame playing a prostitute in Pretty Woman, Roberts mainly stuck to romantic comedies including Runaway Bride, Notting Hill and My Best Friend’s Wedding. But Julia won over a host of new fans by taking on the role of Erin Brockovich, a woman who successfully took on a US energy corporation in court despite having no legal training. The film was a box-office hit and earned Roberts a bunch of awards including a best actress statuette at the 2000 Oscars.

Jamie Foxx wowed audiences and critics alike with his portrayal of Ray Charles

2. Charlize Theron as Aileen Wuornos in Monster

While most big biopics focus on heroes, politicians or musicians, Monster opted to tackle a more challenging individual: a serial killer. Former prostitute Aileen Wuornos had been executed in 2002 for killing six men, with Monster receiving its worldwide release in 2004. Gaining 30 pounds and donning prosthetic teeth to complete the physical transformation into Wournos, Theron received widespread critical acclaim for her take on the complicated killer. Film critic Roger Ebert went so far as to describe it as ‘one of the greatest performances in the history of the cinema’. Unsurprisingly Theron won a whole host of awards – 17 in total – including an Oscar, a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild award.

1. Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles in Ray

Last, but by no means least, we come to Jamie Foxx’s mesmerising portrayal of musical legend Ray Charles. At the age of 5 Ray witnessed the death of his younger brother, then two years later he went blind. His inspirational rise to become a successful musician, battling drug addiction along the way, formed the basis for Ray. Charles met Foxx before filming began on the movie, signalling his approval by saying afterwards: ‘He’s the one… he can do it.’ But sadly he was not able to see Foxx’s finished Oscar-winning performance, dying months before the film’s premiere.